"Businesses benefit by having parking meters. It allows for turn over, it allows for rock star parking," said Portland Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee member Zack Barowitz.

Barowitz said the change could bring in an extra $600,000 and would support the city's sustainable transportation fund.

"All these nickels and dimes and quarters add up to real money," Barowitz said.

However, some store owners in the Old Port want to put the brakes on the idea, saying it would negatively affect customers and employees.

"We schedule our calendar according to how the meter is and where people are going to be during the day. I can't have my employees rush out in the middle of their shift to move their car," said Marie Stewart Harmon, manager of Lisa Marie's Made in Maine.

The city currently makes more than $4.5 million a year from parking meters and garages, which goes to the city's general fund.

The decision to extend metered parking will be up to the city council.

"It would ultimately be the council's decision. It is a pretty weighty policy decision to make, so they would need to deliberate on it a bit," said Portland Transportation program manager Bruce Hyman.

The proposal was just given to the city's Finance Committee and could go to another group to study before it is brought before the council for a vote.